Garbage disposals are convenient, but you shouldn’t rinse down every kitchen scrap and morsel. Otherwise, you risk dealing with stubborn clogs and causing damages that require prompt appliance repairs. Here’s what you should avoid.

What to Avoid Rinsing Down the Kitchen Disposal

1. Fibrous Foods

Items like celery, corn husks, and asparagus all have thin strands that can easily wrap around the appliance’s impeller arms, preventing them from moving properly and potentially causing the device to fail. While a small chunk probably won’t hurt, it’s wise to avoid rinsing these foods down the drain altogether.

2. Coffee Grounds

Although coffee grounds seem relatively harmless based on their size and granulation, they can be detrimental as you rinse them down the drain. Upon contact with water, the granules gel together and turn into a thick paste. It can be difficult to break through the disposal and the drain lines, potentially causing severe plumbing issues.

3. Pasta

Pasta doesn’t seem very harmful at a glance, but think about what happens to noodles when they’re cooked. As you drop them into water, they expand. The same principle applies to pasta you send down the drain. If you rinse enough of it, it can easily cause a stubborn blockage.

4. Eggshells

While eggshells are simple enough in substance, the linings inside could cause issues. Shells themselves can break down easily, but the stretchy membrane can get stuck on the disposal’s impeller or become caught in the drain. Both situations can prevent normal functionality and cause plumbing and appliance problems.

5. Bones

You won’t have any luck if you try to rinse bones from your meat dishes into the disposal. You run the risk of requiring appliance repairs if you try to break them down because the device just isn’t designed to handle something so solid.

 

Homeowners throughout northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati, OH, can trust the professionals at Complete Appliance Service for their appliance repair needs. Whether you’re concerned about your disposal, oven, dishwasher, or another device, they will assist. Visit them online to find out more about their services, and call (513) 661-3708 to schedule an appointment.